Variable Stiffness Composite Beam Set - For Euler Buckling Apparatus

Composite materials with specific properties are common in many industries such as aerospace, automotive, sports and civil engineering. Variable stiff ness composite materials are lightweight, stiff and strong. They have good fatigue and impact resistance. Their properties can be tailored to match the specific needs of end users by changing constituent material types and manufacturing parameters such as tow, weave type, resin or manufacturing method.

For variable stiffness composite materials, a variety of carbon fibre architectures can be obtained by interleaving tapes of fabrics in different orientations or grades.

The combination of materials used results in a specific configuration of mechanical and performance properties of the resulting composites and determines the end use possibilities.

Composite beams can easily be tailored to specific needs increasing or decreasing certain mechanical properties in arras as required. This helps reduce costs and component weight. The Variable Stiffness Composite Beams Set introduces the student to this concept by providing a range of beams whose mechanical properties vary along their length. The beams all maintain the same cross-sectional area.

The beam types included in the kit are:

• Stiff /weak
• Stiff /weak/stiff
• Weak/stiff /weak

All beams are bonded with epoxy resin and are split into equal stiffness sections.